There is a large Indian population in the two Dakotas. In the diocese of
Sioux Falls there are over 25,000. Of these, 5,400 are members of the
church. Ten churches are open to them. These are under the charge of
seven Benedictine and six Jesuit Fathers. The schools, twelve in number,
with an enrollment of 938 pupils, are directed by the above mentioned
fathers. “The year has been a most prosperous one,” writes Bishop Marty,
“both in conversions and in the formation of new Catholic centres
among the Sioux. Especially at the Standing Rock, Cheyenne and Rosebud
Agencies. A beautiful new church and parochial residence has been built
at Cheyenne Agency, and was dedicated, July 3rd, on the occasion of the
Catholic Congress. On the 19th the church was blown down and the house
partly destroyed by a cyclone. Only 50 per cent. of the lumber can be
used again for building. Five petitions were presented for new churches
on the different reservations. Each of these churches would cost one
thousand dollars, as building material, as well as labor, is dear at a
distance of fifty miles from railroad or river. There is no building
material on the prairie. I also have to maintain the missionaries at
Grand River and Cheyenne.”